 Roads
Trucks
and Freight
Bicycles
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)
Livable
Communities
Trails
Transit
(bus)
Pedestrian
Planning for Our Transportation Future
Transportation Disadvantaged
Rideshare
Pinellas
County's transportation system consists
of a vast network of roads, bridges, airports,
transit service, trails and sidewalks.
This system supports the economic vitality
of the county and has a major impact on
the quality of life.
During the past ten years planning for Pinellas County's transportation
infrastructure has become increasingly costly due to the lack
of available land. As a result, while road planning will continue
to be a high priority in Pinellas County's future, a more comprehensive
approach that includes rapid transit, sidewalks, trails and bicycle
lanes will be required. The MPO is working with its partners
today to address these future transportation needs.
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Roads:
 The
MPO works with the Florida Department of Transportation,
the federal government, Pinellas County agencies
and with municipalities to identify priorities
for road building and enhancement projects
(expansion, signalization, etc.). The expansion
and redesign of U.S.
Highway 19 is a current example of
one of these projects. Motorist, pedestrian
and bicyclist safety, cost, economic impact
and preservation of neighborhoods are all
weighed in prioritizing and planning roadway
improvements. Additional input into decisions
is provided by traffic
counts  and accident data, which the MPO
routinely collects.
 Congestion
management has received particular emphasis
from the Pinellas County MPO during the past
decade. The MPO develop the State of System Report biennially, which documents travel trends and traffic patterns on the major transportation system elements (roads, buses and non-motorized modes). As one of its many responses to congestion
problems, Pinellas County has begun implementing Intelligent
Transportation Systems (ITS) on its arterial
roadways. This approach seeks technical and
practical solutions to alleviating traffic congestion
problems. Examples of ITS technology include
computerized traffic signal systems that automatically
adjust to maximize traffic flow and to permit
emergency vehicles to pass through intersections
quickly, cameras and detectors that identify
congested areas and travel advisories that inform
drivers about these problems and recommend alternative
routes.
 The
MPO works with Pinellas County and local
governments and law enforcement agencies
to develop truck routes that balance economic
needs (for deliveries to reach their destinations
in a timely manner) with the safety and
noise-level needs of Pinellas communities.
The MPO also works with FDOT to implement
the Strategic
Intermodal System  which lays the foundation
for Florida's future economic growth and
development by establishing a statewide
network of transportation hubs.
To
learn more about road planning in Pinellas
County,
view the following maps:
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To
learn more about ITS go to:
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| Traffic
Count Maps available:
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Bicycle
and Pedestrian
 The
MPO encourages pedestrian and bicycle
travel as alternatives to the automobile
for commuting to school and work. A continuous
network of sidewalks has undergone a major
expansion in recent years, particularly
since the passage of the Penny
For Pinellas Sales
Tax. The MPO also works with the county
and cities to address their needs for
pedestrian signage and signals.
The MPO places high value on the safety
of bicyclists. Travelers on Pinellas County
roads may have noticed the placement of
four-foot bicycle
lanes. Additional roads are being
studied for possible bike lane implementation,
where space permits.
 The MPO also participates with law enforcement,
school systems and community organizations
to provide bicycle and pedestrian safety
training to children and adult groups
at schools, community fairs and other
civic or social events.In 2005, the MPO authorized the development of the new MPO Countywide Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to provide the policy and planning framework necessary to allow
Pinellas County to become a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly community while encouraging more people to walk and bicycle. The Plan addresses the County’s needs for trail, bicycle lane and sidewalk facilities from the standpoint of capital improvements as well as safety, education and enforcement efforts. The Plan document was adopted by the MPO on May 10, 2006. Feel free to send comments or questions regarding the Bicycle and Pedestrain Master Plan to smiller@pinellascounty.org or call 727-464-8200.
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Trails
 Pinellas
County is nationally recognized for its extensive
trail system network. Existing trails include the Fred
Marquis/Pinellas Trail, which presently
sprawls from the county's most northern point
(Tarpon Springs), and extends all the way
to south St. Petersburg, eventually going
to Downtown St. Petersburg when a connector
trail is completed. Other
existing trails cross bodies of water
such as Tampa Bay, travel through commercial
or natural points of interest, connect neighborhoods
with schools, employment areas, or shopping
districts and other centers of interest.An
important element in Pinellas County's trail
plan will be the addition of the Progress Energy
Trail, allowing for the development of a north/south
off-road bicycle and pedestrian trail facility
in eastern Pinellas County. The 20.6-mile
trail's northern end will connect with the
East Lake/Tarpon Springs section of the Pinellas Trail.
 The southern terminus will connect to the
planned Weedon Island Trail. The MPO plan
also calls for a connection between the Progress
Energy Extension and the Friendship Trail
(Old Gandy Bridge), a multi-use recreational
trail spanning Tampa Bay with trail connections
in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Within
a 1/4 mile of the extension alignment are
several schools, employment sites, retail
shopping centers, churches, recreational areas
and public parks.
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Transportation
Disadvantaged (TD) Program
 This state-funded program provides low-cost, non-emergency transportation throughout Pinellas County to individuals who qualify as "transportation disadvantaged." To be qualified, a person must have no means of transportation, including family and friends, and an income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Using 31-Day unlimited bus passes (Go Cards), TD Program customers can receive transportation to anywhere a bus can take them for a monthly, reduced fee of $4.20. For
those unable to ride the bus, non-emergency
service is provided by taxi cabs or wheelchair
accessible vans. Cost is $3 each one-way trip.
The TD program also administers the non-emergency
Medicaid transportation program for those who
are eligible. For more information call Greater
Pinellas Transportation Management Services,
727-545-2100
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Transit
 Pinellas
Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) is the
public transit provider in Pinellas County,
Florida, operating 163 buses, 20 trolleys
and the Suncoast
Beach Trolley. Regional programs include
express bus routes that travel between Pinellas
County and Tampa, and Pinellas County to Pasco
County. A Bikes
on Buses program permits riders to hang
their bikes on the front of buses for long
distance travel. With the new "Passport" bus travelers can pay one fare for a convenient
flash pass that gives riders unlimited access
to all services in both Pinellas and Hillsborough
(HART)
transit systems for an entire calendar month.
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Planning for Our Transportation Future
 Pinellas County MPO's planning focus is on
our transportation future. One important goal
is the establishment of Livable
Communities - communities that seek to
create an environment that reduces dependence
on the automobile for mobility needs. Ways
to achieve this include: mixing residential
and business land uses, providing safe, inviting
pedestrian and bicycle facilities and providing
high quality transit service from conveniently
located stops and terminals. The design of
transportation facilities and the relationship
between transportation and land use is critical
to achieving livable communities and an improved
quality of life. To
meet challenges
to the existing and future transportation
infrastructure, the MPO is involved with partner
agencies in studying transit applications
such as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and elevated
fixed guideway (Pinellas Mobility Initiative).* The purpose of both of these options
is to reduce travel time and road congestion
by providing attractive, economic alternatives
to the personal automobile.
* The elevated fixed guideway
study in Pinellas County (Pinellas Mobility
Initiative) should not be confused with the Florida
High Speed Rail project.
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Rideshare, Carpooling, etc.
In
addition to the above planning areas, the MPO
studies transportation alternatives that have
the potential to reduce congestion and enhance
transportation opportunities for Pinellas County
residents and visitors. Some of these alternatives
are already operational, such as the Rideshare
program that is operated by the Bay
Area Commuter Services (BACS). This program
assists employers by coordinating commute alternatives
for their employees (vanpooling and carpooling).
In addition, in 2005 BACS started a program
to assist parents in creating carpools for children
who attend Coachman Middle School in Clearwater.
Plans are being made to expand this program.
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